A CEREDIGION distillery is celebrating after one of its gins was named among the best in the world.

In The Welsh Wind Distillery, based near Cardigan, has won gold and the Wales country title at the World Gin Awards 2026 for its Palo Cortado Cask-Aged Gin.

The matured gin has now been shortlisted for World’s Best Matured Gin, placing it in the top five internationally.

The overall winner will be announced at the World Gin Awards Gala Dinner in London on June 2.

The gin, priced at £45, is bottled at 43% ABV and is made by resting the distillery’s Signature Style Gin in Palo Cortado sherry barrels.

The result is described as a layered spirit with notes of almonds, dried stone fruit and wood spice, alongside the warmth of the gin’s botanical profile.

Palo Cortado is one of the rarest styles of sherry, produced in the Jerez region of southern Spain. It sits between Amontillado and Oloroso, combining nutty, oxidative character with a more elegant structure.

Ellen Wakelam, co-founder of In The Welsh Wind, said: “Palo Cortado is not a cask you choose lightly. It’s one of the rarest styles of sherry in the world and it does something quite specific to our Signature Style.

“It pulls out a depth and warmth that the gin already has in it and frames it in a way you wouldn’t expect. We’ve been incredibly proud of this gin since the first batch and to have that recognised at this level, and to be shortlisted for World’s Best, is something we’re genuinely thrilled about.”

The gin has previously won Best Welsh Matured at the World Gin Awards 2022 and received the Master award from The Spirits Business Gin Masters in 2021.

In The Welsh Wind is an independent craft distillery founded by Ellen Wakelam. It produces single malt whisky, blended Welsh malt whisky, gin and vodka, with a focus on Welsh provenance and cask maturation.

Palo Cortado Cask-Aged Gin: The Ceredigion-made gin is in the running to be named the world’s best matured gin.

A MILFORD HAVEN couple have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary after 60 years of marriage.

Brian and Anne Ball, of West Hill Avenue, Milford Haven, marked the milestone with their family earlier this month.

The couple were married in Ipswich, Suffolk, six decades ago before later making their home in Milford Haven.

Brian is a retired Milford Haven marine pilot, having worked in one of the UK’s most important energy ports, guiding vessels safely through the Haven’s busy waterway.

Anne worked as a marriage guidance counsellor, supporting couples and families through her professional life.

Their son Dominic Ball, said the family were delighted to mark the couple’s 60th wedding anniversary and shared photographs of Brian and Anne together, as well as with their children Ben, Liz, Katie and Dominic.

The diamond anniversary is traditionally celebrated after 60 years of marriage and remains one of the most significant milestones for any couple.

New research suggests people across Britain are more concerned about jobs, lower bills and energy security than how major projects look — as west Wales faces major decisions over its energy future

PEMBROKESHIRE could face difficult questions over its energy future after new polling suggested the British public places greater importance on jobs, energy security and lower bills than the visual impact of major infrastructure projects.

The findings come at a critical time for west Wales, with Pembrokeshire increasingly positioned at the centre of the UK’s transition to cleaner energy through floating offshore wind, hydrogen, carbon capture, battery storage and sustainable fuels linked to the Milford Haven Waterway.

The research, commissioned by a coalition of energy industry organisations, found only 11 per cent of respondents ranked visual impact as a leading concern when considering future energy infrastructure. Instead, respondents were more likely to prioritise industrial competitiveness, reducing pollution and protecting jobs.

The polling, carried out across England, Scotland and Wales by research company Early Studies, found 39 per cent of people prioritised industrial competitiveness, 37 per cent cited reducing air pollution, while a quarter highlighted protecting existing jobs as a key issue.

The findings are likely to spark debate in Pembrokeshire, where large-scale energy projects have frequently generated fierce opposition over concerns around landscape impact, tourism, countryside views and industrialisation of rural areas.

At the same time, supporters argue that Pembrokeshire — home to one of Britain’s most significant energy hubs — cannot afford to miss opportunities for investment and skilled employment, particularly following uncertainty around the future of traditional oil and gas industries.

Milford Haven has long played a strategic role in Britain’s energy security through its LNG terminals and refinery infrastructure. Increasingly, local leaders and politicians have also promoted the county as a centre for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, alongside hydrogen production, carbon capture and low-carbon fuels.

However, proposals linked to renewable energy infrastructure have not always been universally welcomed.

Across Wales and the wider UK, objections to wind farms, substations, pylons and associated grid upgrades have often centred on visual intrusion, impacts on tourism and concerns over cumulative development in rural communities.

Campaigners opposed to some schemes argue that while energy security is important, communities should not be expected to shoulder disproportionate environmental or visual burdens without meaningful consultation or direct benefit.

The industry-backed polling argues, however, that the wider public increasingly sees clean energy infrastructure as essential to economic resilience and energy independence.

Researchers said the findings challenged assumptions often made during planning debates that visual appearance is the public’s overriding concern.

Alfred Malmros, co-founder of Early Studies, said the results showed strong backing for infrastructure focused on energy security, jobs and economic growth.

He said renewable energy offered long-term benefits because it reduced reliance on international markets and external supply shocks.

The study also suggested support was relatively consistent across political divides, with similar responses recorded among Labour, Conservative, Reform UK, Liberal Democrat and Green Party supporters.

But critics may question the independence of the findings.

The survey was commissioned by a coalition of energy trade bodies, including organisations representing offshore wind, solar, hydrogen, nuclear and carbon capture sectors — all of which have a commercial interest in accelerating infrastructure development. The groups said meaningful engagement with communities remains essential and acknowledged concerns about where projects are built.

For Pembrokeshire, the debate is unlikely to disappear any time soon.

With major energy schemes increasingly being discussed for the Celtic Sea and Milford Haven area, the county may soon face a difficult balancing act between protecting landscapes and communities while securing investment, employment and its role in Britain’s future energy system.